Rankings
The Transcend ESD410 2TB portable SSD delivers blazing 2000 MB/s read/write performance with a rugged, water-resistant design and built-in 256-bit AES encryption. Its sustained write speed falls after the cache is used and full speed is only achievable on USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 hosts. It is ideal for outdoor creators, videographers, and professionals needing fast, durable storage for high-resolution media.
The Samsung T7 Shield 2TB delivers high-speed NVMe performance with rugged IP65 protection and 3-meter drop resistance. Its added durability adds weight and cost, making it less ideal for users seeking the lightest, cheapest option. Best suited for photographers and creators who need fast, secure storage in harsh environments.
The Samsung T9 4TB Portable SSD pushes performance to 2,000 MB/s with a massive 4 TB capacity and rugged drop and shock protection. Its limitations include the need for a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 host and the lack of an IP rating, making it less suited for harsh environments. Ideal for creators who need ultra-fast, high-capacity portable storage and robust durability.
The Crucial X8 2TB delivers solid 1050 MB/s performance in a rugged, IP67-rated aluminum case with useful adapters. Its heavier weight, lack of disclosed endurance data, and USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 bandwidth limit make it less ideal for users seeking the lightest or most future-proof drive. Suited for creators and travelers who need durable, fast storage and appreciate the included adapters.
The Kingston XS1000R 2TB SSD provides up to 1050 MB/s read and 1000 MB/s write in a pocket-sized metal-plastic case with an included USB-C to USB-A cable and adapter. Full speeds require a USB 3.2 Gen 2 host and the drive lacks a protective case. Best for travelers and mobile pros needing large capacity in a compact package.
Amazon Basics 2TB Portable SSD offers up to 2000 MB/s advertised speeds, IP65 protection, and a metal case with a full set of cables and a protective case. Real-world speeds often fall short of the claim and the build is only moderately rugged with a short 1-year warranty. Best for budget-conscious users who need portable storage without premium performance.
The SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD, officially licensed for PlayStation 5, provides up to 1,000 MB/s read speeds in an IP65-rated, drop-protected case. Lack of disclosed write speeds and slower performance compared to internal SSDs may hinder heavy write workloads. It's aimed at gamers and users who value rugged, PS5-compatible portable storage.
The G-Technology 2TB G-DRIVE mobile SSD offers rugged IP67 protection, 3 m drop resistance, and a solid 5-year warranty in a compact USB-C form factor. Its 560 MB/s speed lags behind newer portable SSDs, and it lacks encryption features. Best for professionals who prioritize durability and cross-platform compatibility over raw performance.
The WD Elements SE 2TB portable SSD offers a budget-friendly 2 TB storage solution with a compact design and 400 MB/s read speed. Its performance is limited by a modest speed ceiling and lack of encryption, making it best suited for everyday backups and casual gaming.
| Attribute | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4,000 GBbest | 2,000 GB | 2 GB | 2,000 GB | 2,000 GB | 2,000 GB | 2,048 GB | 2,000 GB | 2,048 GB | |
2,000 MB/sbest | 1,050 MB/s | 560 MB/s | 2,000 MB/sbest | 1,050 MB/s | 1,050 MB/s | 2,000 MB/sbest | 400 MB/s | 1,000 MB/s | |
2,000 MB/sbest | 1,050 MB/s | 560 MB/s | 2,000 MB/sbest | 1,000 MB/s | 1,000 MB/s | 2,000 MB/sbest | — | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 122 g | 100 g | 86 g | 53 g | 98 g | 28.7 g | 65 g | 27 gbest | 68 g |
5 yearsbest | 3 years | 5 yearsbest | 1 years | 3 years | 5 yearsbest | 5 yearsbest | 3 years | 5 yearsbest | |
— | — | — | 50 °Cbest | — | — | — | — | — |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | | | | | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Connectivity(1) | |||||||||
Interface | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2x1 | USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 | USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 | USB 3.0 | USB 3.2 Gen 2 |
Performance(2) | |||||||||
Sequential Read Speed (MB/s) | 2000 MB/s | 1050 MB/s | 560 MB/s | 2000 MB/s | 1050 MB/s | 1050 MB/s | 2000 MB/s | 400 MB/s | 1000 MB/s |
Sequential Write Speed (MB/s) | 2000 MB/s | 1050 MB/s | 560 MB/s | 2000 MB/s | 1000 MB/s | 1000 MB/s | 2000 MB/s | — | — |
Build & Design(2) | |||||||||
Weight (g) | 122 g | 100 g | 86 g | 53 g | 98 g | 28.7 g | 65 g | 27 g | 68 g |
Dimensions (L×W×H) (mm) | 88x60x14 mm | 110×53×11.5 mm mm | 50x14.6x95 mm | 9.9 x 59.2 x 59.2 mm mm | 12.5 x 57 x 86 mm | 13.5×32.6×69.5 mm mm | 14.5×42×79 mm | 64.5×64.5×8.6 mm mm | 101×53×10 mm mm |
Storage(2) | |||||||||
Capacity (GB) | 4000 GB | 2000 GB | 2 GB | 2000 GB | 2000 GB | 2000 GB | 2048 GB | 2000 GB | 2048 GB |
NAND Type | — | — | — | — | — | 3D | 3D NAND | — | — |
Power & Compatibility(3) | |||||||||
Power Source | Bus-powered | USB bus-powered | bus | — | bus-powered | — | Bus-powered | Bus Powered | USB |
Operating Temperature (°C) | — | — | — | 50 °C | 0-60 °C | — | 0-60 °C | — | — |
Compatible Operating Systems | — | — | macOS, Windows | Windows; macOS | Windows 7+, macOS 10.10+, Android 5.0+ | Windows 11/10, macOS 11.15+, Linux 4.4+, Chrome OS, Android, iOS/iPadOS 13+ | — | PC, Mac | PlayStation 5, Windows, macOS |
Reliability & Security(2) | |||||||||
Hardware Encryption | true | — | — | — | true | — | true | false | — |
IP Rating | — | IP67 | IP67 | IP65 | IP65 | — | IPX5 | — | IP65 |
General(2) | |||||||||
Warranty (years) | 5 years | 3 years | 5 years | 1 years | 3 years | 5 years | 5 years | 3 years | 5 years |
Included Accessories | USB‑C to USB‑C 18 in, USB‑C to USB‑A 18 in | USB‑C to USB‑A adapter, USB‑C to USB‑C adapter | — | 2 USB-C to C cables, 1 USB-C to A cable, storage case | Carabiner Loop | 12" USB Type‑C to USB‑A cable; USB‑A to USB‑C adapter | USB Type‑C to USB‑C cable, USB Type‑A to USB‑C cable | USB cable | — |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the T9 4TB for delivering blazing-fast 2,000 MB/s transfers, robust 3 m drop protection, and enterprise-grade AES-256 encryption, while noting that its peak performance is gated by the need for USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 hosts and the lack of an IP rating for environmental protection.
Everyday users rave about the drive's pocket-sized portability and real-world speed gains for video editing and backups, but many express frustration when the device falls back to 1,000 MB/s on older computers and cite the short supplied cables and occasional heat during long writes as pain points.
“ultra-fast real-world speeds for video editing/backups”
“higher quality SSD”
“Excellent customer support from resellers”
Select the X8 for tougher environments; select the T7 for ultra-light travel and lower cost.
Opt for the X8 when durability and endurance are paramount; opt for the SanDisk Extreme if weight and bundled cable are more important.
Choose the Kingston XS1000R for ultimate pocketability; choose the Samsung T7 Shield when rugged protection is a priority.
Professional reviewers consistently commend the X8 for its industry-leading 1050 MB/s sequential speeds, low latency benchmarks, and robust aluminum construction that passes 7.5-foot drop tests.
Everyday users echo the professional praise, emphasizing the noticeable speed boost for games, media, and backups, as well as the convenience of the included adapters.
StorageReview.com and other editors praise the G-DRIVE mobile SSD for its ruggedness, compactness, and dependable 560 MB/s USB-C performance, positioning it as a solid choice for mobile professionals who need durable, portable storage. However, they acknowledge that its speed falls short of Thunderbolt-3 SSDs, and the required Windows reformatting is a minor drawback.
Everyday users echo the professional sentiment, highlighting the drive's portability, durability and noticeable speed gains for large media transfers, while noting the extra step of reformatting for Windows and the absence of a protective case as common annoyances.
Professional reviewers commend the Amazon Basics 2TB SSD for delivering solid budget performance, IP65 protection, and useful accessories, while noting that real-world speeds fall short of the 2000 MB/s claim and that performance is host-dependent. They appreciate its thermal management and value proposition but recommend higher-end Thunderbolt drives for users who need maximum throughput.
Everyday users appreciate the drive's compactness, included cables, and reliable operation, often praising Amazon's customer support and the hassle-free purchase experience. Recurring complaints focus on the discrepancy between advertised and actual speeds and the drive's moderate build quality compared to premium models.
Professional reviewers commend the T7 Shield for marrying the same high-speed NVMe performance of the standard T7 with a rugged rubber shell, IP65 rating, and Dynamic Thermal Guard, making it a reliable workhorse for on-location shooting and editing.
Everyday users love the fast transfer rates, compact form factor, and especially the water-resistance for outdoor use. Praise centers on portability and capacity, while the most common complaints involve occasional connectivity hiccups and the higher price compared to non-rugged SSDs.
Professional reviewers commend the XS1000R for its ultra-lightweight metal/plastic build, fast 1,050/1,000 MB/s performance and broad OS support, positioning it as a highly portable solution for professionals. Their main criticisms focus on the lack of an included protective case and the need for a USB 3.2 Gen 2 host to realize full speeds, with some noting inconsistent weight reporting.
Everyday users consistently praise the drive's tiny size, featherweight feel, fast transfers and plug-and-play simplicity, especially on smartphones and laptops. Recurring complaints revolve around the missing protective case, slower speeds on legacy ports, and occasional confusion over the listed weight.
Professional reviewers such as SSD-Tester and Guru3D highlighted the drive's lightning-fast peak throughput-over 2 GB/s in synthetic benchmarks-and its rugged construction that meets MIL-STD-810G and IPX5 standards. They praised its suitability for high-resolution video workflows but cautioned that sustained write speeds dip after the 64 GB pSLC cache is used up and that full performance requires a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 host.
Professional reviewers consider the WD Elements SE a solid, affordable choice for everyday storage, praising its reliability, decent read speed, and ruggedness, but they consistently note its speed ceiling and heating under load as drawbacks compared to higher-end SSDs.
Everyday users appreciate the drive's fast, compact nature and reliable backup performance, especially for gaming and media servers, while repeatedly mentioning heat buildup during long transfers and wishing for faster speeds.
Professional reviewers commend the drive's fast 1000 MB/s reads, robust IP65 rating, and 5-year warranty, noting it integrates seamlessly with PS5 thanks to official licensing. However, they point out that its performance lags behind the console's internal NVMe SSDs and the lack of disclosed write speeds leaves uncertainty for heavy data tasks.
Professional reviewers commend the drive's fast 1000 MB/s reads, robust IP65 rating, and 5-year warranty, noting it integrates seamlessly with PS5 thanks to official licensing. However, they point out that its performance lags behind the console's internal NVMe SSDs and the lack of disclosed write speeds leaves uncertainty for heavy data tasks.
